Whether your goal is health and fitness, competition, self defense, or personal development, there's a class to meet your needs and interests. There are hundreds of different styles and systems. Although most people think of traditional eastern systems, martial arts Portland Oregon includes western forms such as wrestling, boxing, and kickboxing.
Most Eastern styles use a belt ranking system. Students test to prove their skills, then receive a colored belt signifying rank. Most Western styles engage in competition. Winners are awarded a Title, sometimes a decorative belt, worthy of their skill set. Advancement style and criteria varies widely among and between the different systems and styles.
The benefits are almost too many to list: aerobic fitness, strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, coordination. On the mental side are development of self control, focus, memory, confidence, discipline. Character traits of respect towards others, self control, responsibility, and commitment are highly valued.
Learn how to push through fear and anxiety, how to take a hit and get back up, how to take a fall. Learn proper breathing techniques for exercising, taking a hit or kick, delivering kicks or punches. Many Eastern styles include a series of choreographed routines that must by memorized. Many arts, now practiced as sports, use sparring practice that demands self control, a strike that doesn't actually connect, but is obvious to the judge. Eastern style training usually includes meditation, focus, and breathing exercises.
Kids find Martial Arts exciting. It's a great way to get them moving and training their bodies and minds. Children's classes focus on character traits of respect, self discipline, self control. Many include discussions and demonstrations of ways to handle bullies and strangers. Kids strive to achieve a higher rank, minus the team stress of fumbling the ball or losing the game.
MMA combines Eastern and Western training in an anything that wins goes style. Kung Fu focuses on striking arts but uses fluid, artistic motions easier on the joints to practice. Grappling moves are the focus of Aikido, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Wrestling. Striking styles that have developed into competitive sports include Boxing, Karate, Taekwondo. Judo and Jiu-Jitsu also have a strong focus on competition. For self defense consider Kempo Karate, Hapkido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Muay Thai. Learn how to take a strike, avoid a strike, land a strike (punch or kick).
Tai Chi focus is on balance, stretching, and weight bearing moves that are easy on joints. It has numerous health benefits including increased concentration, flexibility, and coordination. It is used more as a health and fitness exercise that a combat sport and is noncompetitive. Movements can be adjusted to meet any physical fitness level including senior citizens with limited mobility.
Decide on your goals. Are you striving for fitness, personal development, self defense skills, or hungering to test your skills against the competition. Meet with the teachers/coaches. Ask about their experience and qualifications. Observe a class of experienced students to see the schools training methods and philosophy in action. Explain your goals to be sure the program is compatible with your goals.
Storefront training tends to be more expensive, and often requires participants to sign a year long contract. If you know what you want and you're serious about a long term commitment, this may be the right choice. If you're just testing the waters, take a look at city recreation classes, after school programs, or community gym offerings.
Most Eastern styles use a belt ranking system. Students test to prove their skills, then receive a colored belt signifying rank. Most Western styles engage in competition. Winners are awarded a Title, sometimes a decorative belt, worthy of their skill set. Advancement style and criteria varies widely among and between the different systems and styles.
The benefits are almost too many to list: aerobic fitness, strength, stamina, flexibility, balance, coordination. On the mental side are development of self control, focus, memory, confidence, discipline. Character traits of respect towards others, self control, responsibility, and commitment are highly valued.
Learn how to push through fear and anxiety, how to take a hit and get back up, how to take a fall. Learn proper breathing techniques for exercising, taking a hit or kick, delivering kicks or punches. Many Eastern styles include a series of choreographed routines that must by memorized. Many arts, now practiced as sports, use sparring practice that demands self control, a strike that doesn't actually connect, but is obvious to the judge. Eastern style training usually includes meditation, focus, and breathing exercises.
Kids find Martial Arts exciting. It's a great way to get them moving and training their bodies and minds. Children's classes focus on character traits of respect, self discipline, self control. Many include discussions and demonstrations of ways to handle bullies and strangers. Kids strive to achieve a higher rank, minus the team stress of fumbling the ball or losing the game.
MMA combines Eastern and Western training in an anything that wins goes style. Kung Fu focuses on striking arts but uses fluid, artistic motions easier on the joints to practice. Grappling moves are the focus of Aikido, Judo, Jiu-Jitsu, and Wrestling. Striking styles that have developed into competitive sports include Boxing, Karate, Taekwondo. Judo and Jiu-Jitsu also have a strong focus on competition. For self defense consider Kempo Karate, Hapkido, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Aikido, Muay Thai. Learn how to take a strike, avoid a strike, land a strike (punch or kick).
Tai Chi focus is on balance, stretching, and weight bearing moves that are easy on joints. It has numerous health benefits including increased concentration, flexibility, and coordination. It is used more as a health and fitness exercise that a combat sport and is noncompetitive. Movements can be adjusted to meet any physical fitness level including senior citizens with limited mobility.
Decide on your goals. Are you striving for fitness, personal development, self defense skills, or hungering to test your skills against the competition. Meet with the teachers/coaches. Ask about their experience and qualifications. Observe a class of experienced students to see the schools training methods and philosophy in action. Explain your goals to be sure the program is compatible with your goals.
Storefront training tends to be more expensive, and often requires participants to sign a year long contract. If you know what you want and you're serious about a long term commitment, this may be the right choice. If you're just testing the waters, take a look at city recreation classes, after school programs, or community gym offerings.
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